. >> reporter: both sides are down playing expectations. a senior aide to the president says romney will be prepared, disciplined and aggressive. romney's debate partner calls the president a tough debater. >> barack obama is going to be formidable and i think it will be a good debate, but i certainly would not underestimate what barack obama brings to it. >> reporter: john kerry's playing romney with the president. in a weekend memory, republicans urged kerry to press the president on libya and syria. romney calls obama's foreign policy dangerous. romney's debate plan, clearly and concisely explain how he can fix the economy. >> i expect to be able to describe that in a way people will understand, and if they do, i get elected. >> reporter: his running mate paul ryan is already preparing for his own debate a week away. >> i believe in what i believe, i do what i do, and i really believe in the policies we're providing, that we're pursuing. and at the end of the day, i'm just going to go in there and be me. >> reporter: and if you can't con